Reap accuses government of neglecting R&D sector

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) on Thursday said that the production and exports of rice decreased significantly in the last two years due to the government's act of neglecting research and development (R&D) sector. Speaking at a luncheon ceremony hosted in honour of Citizens-Police Liaison Committee's chief Ahmed Chinoy, the Reap's former chairman Abdurl Raheem Jano, said that the Reap was the second largest association after All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the rice industry had been playing a vital role in strengthening country's economy.
Elaborating, he said that though the present volume of rice exports was Rs 2.28 billion, it could be increased by Rs 4billion within a couple of years provided government took serious measures in value addition and introduced new varieties of seeds through advanced scientific research. "The government has neglected the R&D sector in the last two years, causing a significant decrease in production of rice and its exports," he added. In his welcome address, the Reap's Senior Vice Chairman, Chella Ram, voiced serious concerns over the prevailing law and order situation, saying that the rice traders in Karachi were being threatened by different groups. He said that though "some containers of rice go missing while going to and from godowns and ports, we don't know who are behind this crime as we are unable to trace those elements," he added.
He also complained that many traders have recently been deprived of cash, mobiles and other valuables on their way to Port Qasim and Gadap area. He, however, appreciated the efforts of CPLC in tracing the missing valuables of traders. CPLC chief Ahmed Chinoy on this occasion claimed that the crime rate in Karachi, this year, has been reduced by 50 per cent as compared to last year. He said that the law-enforcement agencies, including police and rangers, are working diligently to curb crime. He said that some 200 officials of LEAs have sacrificed their lives while protecting the lives and properties of the citizens last year, while some 150 officials have, so far, been killed by criminals, this year. He said that the CPLC would open its offices in 29 districts of Sindh in the next two years and hopped that these offices would help in bringing an end to the menace of crime from the country.